A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is one of the categories of top-level domains (TLDs) maintained by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) for use on the Internet.
Overall, IANA currently distinguishes the following groups of top-level domains:
- infrastructure top-level domains (.arpa)
- country-code top-level domains (ccTLD)
- sponsored top-level domains (sTLD)
- generic top-level domains (gTLD)
- generic-restricted top-level domains
The core group of generic top-level domains consists of the .com, .info, .net, and .org domains. In addition, the domains .biz, .name, and .pro are also considered generic, however, these are designated as generic-restricted, and registrations within them are supposed to require proof of eligibility within the guidelines set for each.
Historically, the group of generic top-level domains included domains that were created in the early development of the domain name system, notably .edu, .gov, .int, .mil. However, these domains now have all been sponsored by appropriate agencies or organization and are now considered sponsored top-level domains, much a like the many newly created "themed" domain names (cf. sponsored top-level domains. This entire group of non-country-code top-level domains, domains that do not have a geographic or country designation, is still often referred to by the term generic.
The following is a list of currently existing Internet Top-level domains (TLDs)While the following list should be correct, there is a more definitive list the IANA ( Internet Assigned Numbers Authority ) website.
.aero
air-transport industry
Must verify eligibility for registration; only those in various categories of air-travel-related entities may register.
.asia
Asia-Pacific region
This is a TLD for companies, organizations, and individuals based in the region of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific.
.biz
business
This is an open TLD; any person or entity is permitted to register; however, registrations may be challenged later if they are not by commercial entities in accordance with the domain's charter.
.cat
Catalan
This is a TLD for websites in the Catalan language or related to Catalan culture.
.com
commercial
This is an open TLD; any person or entity is permitted to register.
.coop
cooperatives
The .coop TLD is limited to cooperatives as defined by the Rochdale Principles.
.edu
educational
The .edu TLD is limited to institutions of learning (mostly U.S.), such as 2 and 4-year colleges and universities.
.gov
governmental
The .gov TLD is limited to U.S. governmental entities and agencies (commonly federal-level).
.info
information
This is an open TLD; any person or entity is permitted to register.
.int
international organizations
The .int TLD is strictly limited to organizations, offices, and programs which are endorsed by a treaty between two or more nations.
.jobs
companies
The .jobs TLD is designed to be added after the names of established companies with jobs to advertise. At this time, owners of a "company.jobs" domain are not permitted to post jobs of third party employers.
.mil
United States Military
The .mil TLD is limited to use by the U.S. military.
.mobi
mobile devices
Must be used for mobile-compatible sites in accordance with standards.
.museum
museums
Must be verified as a legitimate museum.
.name
individuals, by name
This is an open TLD; any person or entity is permitted to register; however, registrations may be challenged later if they are not by individuals (or the owners of fictional characters) in accordance with the domain's charter.
.net
network
This is an open TLD; any person or entity is permitted to register.
.org
organization
This is an open TLD; any person or entity is permitted to register.
.pro
professions
Currently, .pro is reserved for licensed doctors, attorneys, and certified public accountants only. A professional seeking to register a .pro domain must provide their registrar with the appropriate credentials.
.tel
Internet communication services
.travel
travel and tourism industry related sites
Must be verified as a legitimate travel-related entity.
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